Apex ATK kit

[chucklez]

As some of you may know I am in the NSI group for Apex. meaning I get to test the newest hardware/software they have before released to the general public. Meaning I get to risk my tank to make sure yours isnt ruined if something goes wrong. To date I have been involved in their FMM and recent Fusion beta.

Anyway, I just received their newest hardware today. The Auto Top-off Kit or ATK. This module can be run stand alone or connected to your Apex unit. It is basically a FMM unit with a PMUP, 2 optical sensors for water level detection and a float valve for use as an emergency backup to the optical sensors. You can also purchase up to two other peripheral devices. i chose another optical sensor for my RODI storage unit and a leak detection probe as my old one is on the fritz.

As I am at work I havent had a chance to plug it in yet, but I will tonight. It appears to be pretty plug and play. Mount it to your sump at the water level desired. Plug in the FMM module. Plug in the two optical sensors. Connect the PMUP and put it in your ATO tank. If configuring stand alone you are done. If doing it via Apex there are alot more options such as shutting off the pump automatically if it has ran for a certain amount of time, warnings, etc.

I will update this thread later after I have installed it.

 

[chucklez]

Ohh. Lookie! Security tape!

In the box

All laid out

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[Lance A. Lot]

I think this could be quite useful. How long of a cable does the optical sensor have on it?

 

[chucklez]

I think this could be quite useful. How long of a cable does the optical sensor have on it?

Sensors have a 10' cable attached to it. The extra one that I purchased does not have a mounting bracket attached. You either need to DIY you own or there has been some talk of Apex selling one in the future.

Also, Now that they have the leak detectors compatible with the FMM module, they changed the input jack on it. it used to be an RJ-11 (telephone) looking plug, now it is an audio jack type. Kind of makes my current ALD obsolete.

 

[Lance A. Lot]

Sensors have a 10' cable attached to it. The extra one that I purchased does not have a mounting bracket attached. You either need to DIY you own or there has been some talk of Apex selling one in the future.

Also, Now that they have the leak detectors compatible with the FMM module, they changed the input jack on it. it used to be an RJ-11 (telephone) looking plug, now it is an audio jack type. Kind of makes my current ALD obsolete.

Are you able to purchase the older style connection for the ALD module or is that all being phased out in favor of this updated FMM module.

 

[chucklez]

AFAIK you can still purchase the older style leak probes. Atleast they are listed on BRS still. No mention of them removing the older rj11 styles on the beta forums.

I guess I used bad wording there when i said it is making the ALD obsolete. I meant that the ALD could quite possibly no longer be needed.

 

[Pife]

Sounds like a cool addition to their line up.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I hope you have great luck with these. I am interested in how they turn out and the price.


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[chucklez]

Last night I finally finished hooking up my ATK. I had to wait until an extension cable from BRS came in to plug the PMUP into as my mixing station is located 10+ feet from my sump. After running the electrical to the FMM and the included tubing from my RO unit to my sump I installed the float/sensor assembly. It was easy enough to do as it is secured by 2 magnets. Set it to the desired water level in the sump and connect the tubing from the PMUP. Plug in the two optical sensors from the Float/Sensor assembly into the FMM and hardware install is complete

Once the hardware installation is finished the set up of the Auto Top Off task is pretty simple. You simply follow the 9 step wizard to install the ATK. This will add the programming of when to turn on the top off pump, when to send out a low water alarm and adds a bit of code to turn off the PMUP in a run dry condition. Programming is also added via the task so that if the pump runs for more than several minutes it automatically shuts off the PMUP and issues an alarm.

Now to my individual thoughts and observations.

As my mixing station is located above and 10+to the right of my sump I am running the possibility of a constant siphon when the PMUP engages. To combat this I add a T fitting with a short run of tubing to break the siphon after the PMUP shuts off. Otherwise you are bypassing the purpose of the optical sensor and relying on the float valve to stop 40g of RODI water from flooding your sump. So far this mod seems to be working well. This has nothing to do with the design of the APK. More on my design of my fishroom.

I have my Float/Sensor assembly in the return pump section of my sump. Before entering that section water must travel through a foam pad in which pulls out floating particulate. If I dont keep the foam block clean it hampers water flow causing the main sump level to rise a bit and the return pump section to lower. I guess that means I am going to need to clean the foam brick at each water change.